Synergy, another child of Captain Dynamo, teams with Matthew, Maddie's biological son, to take down the Dynamo 5. Robbed of their powers, the team appears to stand little chance in defeating their ultrapowerful sibling. The team however pulls together and sans power turns the tables on the villains.

On the surface Dynamo 5 is simply a well-written and beautifully illustrated super-hero book. Jay Faerber plots some very inventive moves and counter moves. Asrar and Riley are more than able to keep up through their depiction of action-packed drama and powerful poses befitting champions. However, familial themes distinguish Dynamo 5 from every other team book, good or bad.

While Dynamo 5 battles Synergy, they also try to connect with her. They are, after all, either half-brother or half-sister to her. The team does not pull their punches, and Asrar makes every hit something that reverberates through the pages.At the same time, however, Asrar softens the expressions to match Faerber's words of reason from the various siblings.

The team derives their victory from psychology not just fisticuffs. As a result, you feel sorry for Synergy. On the flip side, Faerber proves himself adept at creating a total waste of skin. Maddie's son appears to have the potential to become a fine serial killer. You do not feel sorry for him.

After the conclusion of the ongoing's storyarc, Faerber stretches his writing muscles for five three page shorts. Various artists accompany him on these exercises. All employ different styles, but every one of the artists does an excellent job. You'll get no filler here.

Andie Tong, Kris Justice and James Offredi contribute "The Eye of the Beholder." Bridget's cartoony yet realistic wincing is the first thing that catches your eyes. The various textures to hair and cloth are notable elements, and the subtle flesh tone coloring completes the aesthetic package.

In "Strong Enough," Joe Eisma prefers penmanship that is more streamlined. I like his rendering of different body types. Hector's mother is a little chunkier. Hector is Joe Average. Gage has the bulky physique of a football player. Bridget has the sinew of a bodybuilding babe. Paul Little's coloring is interesting as well. The shades of Hector's room compliment his outfit and the ensemble worn by his brothers and sisters. The result is a warm blend that fits the atmosphere.

In "Just Another Pretty Face" Tim Seeley and Kieran Oats draw a darker tale in which the half-alien sibling must come to terms with the new situation. Though the tale is easily the most serious in terms of term, Seeley and Oats also show the hope in the vignette, through a consistent cast of light and underlying kindness in Spence's outwardly sinister inhuman mien.

Fran Bueno and Riley combine for "Sky High." Bueno is a master of depicting the team in action packed angles, and Riley provides some of his most welcome and sunny colors for the rural setting.

Finally, in "Mixed Blessing" Anthony Castrillo offers smooth yet detailed musculatures and gorgeous fauna. He is a master of body language and expression. Little's colors in these scenes set off the emotions at play and add depth to Castrillo's already impressive illusions.

The conclusion of the first volume of Dynamo 5 is five dollars, but Jay Faerber isn't merely upping the price at the cost of story. He's doubling the pages for a slam-bang finale and a series of short introductions to the newest look of Dynamo 5. Bonus points for the dissection of Due South in "Under the Influence" where Faerber reveals his inspirations. I love that show.

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